Senior Scam Prevention & Fraud Resources in North Carolina

I. Overview: North Carolina’s Senior Population & Key Cities

State of North Carolina

North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in the U.S., especially among retirees. As of 2024, the state’s population is estimated at 10.9 million, with more than 1.9 million residents aged 65 and older, about 17.4% of the total population. This significant and growing senior demographic makes North Carolina a frequent target for fraudsters using online scams, impersonation, and phishing tactics to exploit older adults.

Seniors in North Carolina are most concentrated in its largest cities:

  • Charlotte (approx. 900,000 people)
  • Raleigh (approx. 480,000 people)
  • Greensboro (approx. 300,000 people)

These urban centers also rank high in reports of cyber scams targeting older adults, including Medicare fraud, investment fraud, romance scams, and tech support cons.

II. 2024 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted North Carolina’s Seniors

In 2024, North Carolina had 5,031 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $87,449,567.

Loss by Crime Type

Crime TypeLoss Amount
Investment$33,012,508
Tech Support$14,890,157
Government Impersonation$5,032,613
Romance$12,785,251

III. Emergency & Official Contacts

Local Police Departments – Elder Fraud & Financial Crimes

1. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department – Fraud Unit

  • Phone: (704) 336-7600 (non-emergency)
  • Website: charlottenc.gov/cmpd
  • Ask to speak with Financial Crimes or Elder Abuse Investigations.

2. Raleigh Police Department – Economic Crimes Unit

  • Phone: (919) 996-3335 (non-emergency)
  • Website: raleighnc.gov/police
  • Request a fraud report involving a senior or vulnerable adult.

3. Greensboro Police Department – Criminal Investigations

  • Phone: (336) 373-2222 (non-emergency)
  • Website: www.greensboro-nc.gov
  • Tip: Ask for assistance with elder-targeted scams or identity theft.

 FBI & Federal Reporting Tools

FBI Charlotte Field Office (serving statewide)

  • Phone: (704) 672-6100
  • Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/charlotte

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

  • Website: www.ic3.gov
  • Use to report elder fraud, phishing, financial exploitation, and scam emails.

 North Carolina Attorney General – Elder Protection & Fraud

NC Department of Justice – Consumer Protection Division

  • Consumer Protection Hotline: (877) 566-7226
  • Website: www.ncdoj.gov
  • Offers a dedicated senior protection section to report scams and receive legal help.

 Statewide Elder Assistance Services

North Carolina Adult Protective Services (APS)

  • To report abuse, neglect, or exploitation:
    Contact the local Department of Social Services (DSS) in your county, or
  • Call the State APS Hotline: (844) 627-5465
  • Website: www.ncdhhs.gov

Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) – North Carolina

  • Phone: (855) 408-1212
  • Website: www.ncshiip.com
  • A program under SHIIP (Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program) that helps detect and report Medicare fraud.

NC Department of Health and Human Services – Aging and Adult Services

  • Phone: (919) 855-3400
  • Website: www.ncdhhs.gov/aging

 Stay Ahead of Scams

  • Older adults in North Carolina report millions in losses each year — don’t let it happen to you or your loved ones.
  • Save these contact numbers, or share this page with your community.
  • Visit our Learning Center to explore red flags, real scam examples, and how to take action.
  • See something suspicious? Report it immediately.
North Carolina Seal

 Share Your Story

Have you or a loved one experienced a scam, or stopped one just in time? Your story could help protect someone else.

Share Your Story